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Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi waves to the crowd as she leaves National League for Democracy headquarters after addressing journalists and supporters. Suu Kyi hailed a "new era" for Myanmar and called for a show of political unity after her party claimed a major victory in landmark by-elections.

A woman casts her vote in Mayangone township. Millions of Myanmar's people, who have been under military rule for decades, headed to vote in a by-election that could bring democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, 66, into parliament. It is the first election the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has contested, as she was under house arrest during Myanmar's last two general elections in 1990 and 2010.

Historic elections in Myanmar

The people of Myanmar got their first taste of democracy in two decades Sunday, with unofficial results showing they had elected popular opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament in the process that ushered in a new era for the long-isolated Southeast Asian nation.

Despite Suu Kyi’s larger-than-life presence in Myanmar, also known as Burma, the apparent victory marks the first time she will hold office; she was under house arrest during general elections in 1990 and the tainted elections of 2010. Crowds erupted in cheers Sunday evening when word of her victory flashed on a giant screen outside her National League for Democracy headquarters. Supporters, faces covered in party stickers, danced in the streets as passengers on passing buses high-fived pedestrians out the window.

Voting in the by-elections was generally peaceful Sunday amid some allegations of vote tampering and harassment. The pro-military government hopes any shortcomings will be seen as minor enough to convince Western nations it is time to drop crippling economic sanctions.

1 Comment

For a nation war torn, desperately poor and full of human tradgedy, this is surely the best news in a long time. Suu Kyi’s years of imprisonment and self sacrifice have not been in vain. As someone who has lived in the Region for the last 15 years or so this this day is an emotional one.